Andy H
16 Mar 2000, 12:07
The China Rally could be axed - only one year after winning World Rally Championship status.
British American Tobacco, who owns the 555 brand which backed the event, has decided to concentrate its resources on Formula 1.
The organisers face a race against time to secure a new backer if the rally is to go ahead.
The rally is pencilled in for September 7-10, with a decision about its future due in May.
As yet, neither the rally's organisers nor the FIA, the sport's governing body, have commented on the likelihood of the rally going ahead, or on the possibility of a replacement event.
British American Tobacco, who owns the 555 brand which backed the event, has decided to concentrate its resources on Formula 1.
The organisers face a race against time to secure a new backer if the rally is to go ahead.
The rally is pencilled in for September 7-10, with a decision about its future due in May.
As yet, neither the rally's organisers nor the FIA, the sport's governing body, have commented on the likelihood of the rally going ahead, or on the possibility of a replacement event.
